M1 Carbine Opinion

[eb in oregon]

Thank you very much for all your responses. You guys are great. I did ask him for the pic of the WRA CHD. The one I had was blurry & I didn't hear back from him. He said he got it right out of a house that the veteran brought it back. I was guessing that maybe it was a Korean war vet because he didn't know. I know Winchester did have the bayonet lug on the very late WW2 ones. Could this be one of them? I do have a pic that I forgot to post. Here it is. It looks like an F but it could be a P that didn't come out right. The guy told me that he saw M1 carbines on line with the bayonet lug and they were in the over $2000.00 zone. SO maybe it is worth that, I don't know.

Thanks,
maxwells

What someone asks for and what they get isn't always the same. $2,000? Nope. But that's just me as someone out there will eventually pay that.

[W5USMC]

I know Winchester did have the bayonet lug on the very late WW2 ones. Could this be one of them? I do have a pic that I forgot to post. Here it is. It looks like an F but it could be a P that didn't come out right.

Your serial # would be too early for a Bayonet lug. The P on your stock was put there when it was rebuilt.

[Singer B]

Well, $2,000 is a tough decision. He can say that is what they are selling for on-line but I would counter that the seller doesn't collect $2k, they maybe collect $1,500 after fees. Here are some other detractors from that $2k mark -

* It has been refurbed to the post-WWII/pre Korean configuration - aka - not original
* Winchester made the second largest total of M1 carbines so the Winchesters are not as rare as most of the other M1 manufacturer types
* It needs a LOT of love and care to bring it back to where it should be (a clean and operable M1 that had a life of service and shows it). Who knows what you are
going to find when you take the barrel/receiver out of the stock. It may need to go to a rehab professional and that will run 2-300 or more for that rehab
* You don't know what the bore looks like or if the gun will even work

These things might increase the price:

* Its a Winchester and some people will pay more for anything that says "Winchester" on it
* I can't tell if the sling is an original GI sling, but if it is, that is an extra $75

I personally would offer 1200 and be willing to go to 1400 for it in todays market. If it was in a clean and operable condition, I think 2k is still too high and it would be around 1700-1800. All of this is IMHO. I hope you get it and give it a great home!

[USGI]

I noticed the "I-cut" stock but it was modified to "low wood" during rebuild and that hurts the value quite a bit. I see an SI marked front band - would like to know what the barrel markings are. - Bob

[Wineman]

I saw the "N" front sight and guessed Inland. I should have looked for the SN block. That may mean a replacement barrel or someone just grabbed an N sight when the barrel band was put on. $2K only if you have to have a Carbine. I'm also with others, rust on the outside may mean rust in places hidden by the stock. Not good.

Dave

[shadycon]

In my opinion; most used items and some new items listed for sale on the internet or overpriced!! Make an offer!!

[ssgross]

For comparison, from what we are seeing the Midway carbines went through at least one Arsenal refurb overseas, and perhaps several maintenance checks. However they seem not to have been all disassembled into buckets and reassembled from parts. Midway sold the very-good to fine examples for $1700-$1800.
Then again, I've seen several of the Midway carbines pop up in my local cabelas gun library for $2500, import stamp and all, and sell within 24 hrs of putting it out. Prices on the internet run hot.

[jimb16]

A rare variant or something like a Rock-Ola or Irwin Pederson with a bayonet lug might go for $2000, but not an arsenal rebuilt Winchester. That guy is mixing apples and oranges. And an all original/all correct Inland or Winchester MIGHT go a little higher, but not that Winchester. The guy is full of crap. Make him a reasonable offer and let it go at that. Don't waste your money overpaying for it.

[maxwells]

Thank you very much for all your help. I offered the guy $1600 for it but he said $2000 firm because from what he saw on the internet it is worth $2500 or more. He saw one with import marks going from $1200-$1500 & more he said.

Thanks,
maxwells

[USGI]

Ask him to send you a link to the completed auctions. That way you can look at the descriptions and pictures of the carbines, as well as the bidding. Sometimes the sellers have friends "run the price up" and you can determine that - often the gun goes on sale again shortly afterwards. - Bob